BAXI Manresa falls in a tight final in Girona
Errors in decisive moments punish the Bages team, who end up losing by 84-80.
84 Bàsquet Girona I Iroegbu 18, Durham 9, Martínez, Pons 4 and Caffaro; Sibande 3, Fjellerup 5, Marcos, Ferrando 9, Fernández 11, Susinskas 19 and Nnaji 6 ç
80 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez 3, Hunt 16, Sagnia 2, Alston Jr. 16 and Cate 10; Vescovi 2, Reyes 4, Steinbergs 6, Hustak, Saint-Supéry 7, Obasohan 8 and Brimah 6
Partials: 18-25, 26-13, 18-23, 22-19
BAXI Manresa was unable to add its second victory in the Endesa League after falling on the court of Bàsquet Girona in the first Catalan derby of the competition (84-80). The match was decided in the final stretch, in which the Girona team showed more success.
The players directed by Diego Ocampo started the match strongly and scored an initial 2-9 run, which forced Fotis Katsikaris to stop the game. It didn't help much, as the visitors continued to dominate to close the first quarter with a seven-point lead (18 -25).
In the second quarter, the locals took a step forward in defence and were more in tune in attack. Thanks to this, they managed to come back and take a six-point lead at half-time (44-38).
In the second half, the team from Manresa scored eleven points consecutive points and turned the score around again to take a four-point lead (55-59). The Girona team reacted immediately and closed the third quarter ahead thanks to a basket by Fernández (62-61).
In the last ten minutes the locals were superior and reached the final stretch with the match well underway. For their part, Bages' team had a very difficult time winning, but they tried until the last seconds. However, Iroegbu did not get nervous and confirmed his team's victory from the free throw line.
On Sunday from 12:30, BAXI Manresa will host Joe Thomasson and Albert Oliver's Dreamland Gran Canaria at the Nou Congost.